Dan Burn visited the Great North Children’s Hospital in midweek to surprise young Newcastle United supporters. Opened in 2010, the hospital - based in the city centre - tends to children suffering from serious illnesses.
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation has supported the infirmary since its inception in 2008. With 245 beds, the Great North Children’s Hospital has, according to its website, “the most extensive range of children’s services” outside of London.
A local lad, Burn knows the importance of giving back to the community. The Blyth-born defender admits having children himself reinforces the need to get involved.
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“Just to support the kids (why he paid a visit),” Burn told NUFC TV. “There was a lot of work done with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation to help the kids here and it was just to come here to try and put a smile on the kids' faces.
“It’s emotional. I did a few of these visits before I had kids and you don’t really understand it properly. I can’t imagine what the parents must be going through.
“You never expect it to be yourself, it’s sad, I’m just glad for the treatment and the people that are looking after them, everyone seems amazing.
Burn also honoured Sir Bobby’s legacy and how, 13 years after his death, he is still inspiring the North East. The defender added: “Bobby was a legend, he was probably the first manager that I really remember. It just shows all the good work that’s going into all the treatments and helping people, I’m just glad that that legacy from his life is carrying on.”
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